PREFACE. THE Work now presented to the Public originated in a letter to a beloved friend upon the interesting subject of Ministerial inefficiency; which, at his desire, and by the disinterested kindness of the Editor of the Christian Observer, was subsequently inserted with a few enlargements in that valuable Miscellany;1 and an impression taken from thence for private circulation. Several applications having been made for its separate publication, the Writer was induced to reconsider the subject in a more extended range, and to avail himself of the suggestions of friends, until the small pamphlet has gradually swelled into its present extended dimensions. As to the Work itself-the Writer desires to be with his brethren "in weakness, and in fear, and much trembling.' He is aware that his proper situation, both in authority and experience, is at the feet of many, who are thus constrained to listen to him; and it would be to him a subject of the most painful regret, if he were supposed to advance any pretensions to a standard of zeal, earnestness, or Ministerial attainment, above his brethren. He has not described what he is, but what he ought, and what he trusts he desires to be; and if, (after the model of the Country Parson) he has set the mark as high as he could;' it is, because he shoots higher that threatens the moon, than he that aims at a tree. '3 He has endeavoured, however, to write in the first instance for himself; and to point every arrow of conviction at his own heart-"Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” The Writer will be found to have dealt rather largely in illustration —not only, as being more suited to his relative situation with his brethren than didactic instruction; but as exhibiting that sympathy of care and anxiety, which gives to us a peculiar place in each other's remembrance, an interest in each other's prayers, and a witness in each other's hearts. "The same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren that are in the world.""5 1 Christian Observer, March, April, 1828. 3 G. Herbert's Preface to 'The Country Parson.' 5 1 Peter v. 9. 2 1 Cor. ii. 3. 4 Róm. ii. 21. The materials for this work have been brought from different departments of the territory of the Church. Though the Writer has had a special regard to the Ministry of the Establishment (to which he is bound by the strongest and most endearing ties, and which occupies in his view the most commanding station in the Church of Christ); yet he would be sorry to refuse a cordial admission, and to neglect a diligent improvement of the acknowledged excellences of the honoured men of God in other communions.1 If he should be thought to have been too large in his references, he can only apologize by his anxiety to shelter his own statements (which in themselves could possess but little weight) by the strength of accredited authority. After all, he is deeply conscious, that this most responsible work has suffered-perhaps materially-from the unskilfulness of its treatment. He would desire, however, to be "accepted of his brethren," in a sincere attempt to subserve the grand cause, to which they, equally with himself, are consecrated; and he would beg to express his earnest desires to be favoured with private communications for the improvement of a second edition (should it ever be called for); for which purpose he subjoins his place of residence at full length. For his work he has no other wish than that of the Country Parson : 'The Lord prosper the intention to myself, and others, who may not despise my poor labours; but add to those points, which I have observed, until the book grows to a complete pastoral." For himself he would be animated by the concluding exhortation of an eminent Minister to his Student and Pastor-' And now go thy way, O thou son greatly beloved; and work in thy lot lively, and prayerfully, and cheerfully to the end of thy days; and wait and look for what the glorious Lord will do for thee at the end of thy days; in those endless joys, wherein thou shalt shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. 24 Old Newton, Stowmarket, June 22, 1829. 1 The Christian spirit in one of the dignified advocates of our Establishment is truly admirable, which admitted the Life of Philip Henry (often referred to in these pages) into his collection of Ecclesiastical Biography-with the admission, that any Nonconformist of superior piety would also have found a place in his work. Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical Biography-Preface, p. xviii. 2 Esther x. 3. 3 Preface to 'The Country Parson.' 4 Conclusion to Mather's 'Student and Pastor.' ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FOURTH EDITION. THE Writer has been induced to send out this New Edition in what will probably be considered a more convenient form. Feeling with the eminently learned, and modest Melancthon, that 'to be single-handed is to be weak," he thankfully acknowledges assistance derived from vari ous sources of substantial profit. Though his work has swelled far beyond its original dimensions, he trusts that it may be a Manual of Ministerial responsibilities, privileges, and encouragements, illustrative of the elevated standard of our Ordination engagements, and stimulating to their more devoted and cheerful exercise. The time allowed him for revision enables him to bring out this Edition with far greater satisfaction to himself than any that have preceded it. He only entreats, that those who gain from it any instruction or interest, will follow it with their prayers, that it may conduce to the grand designs of the Christian Ministry. May the prayer of an old Writer2 upon this subject be speedily and largely fulfilled, that our God would give unto his Church pious and faithful Pastors, and unite us together that we may be One in Him; praising Him with heart, tongue, and whole life, so that in a blessed immortality freely vouchsafed to us, we may enjoy the presence of the Chief Shepherd, our Mediator Jesus Christ, throughout eternity." Old Newton Vicarage, 1 Scott's Continuation of Milner, ii. 180 2 Nic. Hemmingii Pastor. Pref. As his book is little known, the Writer is tempted to transcribe the beautiful dedicatory prayer, in the spirit of which he has endeavoured to conduct his own more extended work- Te, principem pastorem, Domine Jesu Christe invoco; qui solus animam tuam pro ovibus dedisti, ut eas e faucibus lupi, qui est Diabolus, eriperes. Solus oves tuas in ovile tuum humeris tuis portasti. Solus sanguine tuo pretioso lavisti. Spiritu tuo sancto sanas, et pabulo æternæ vitæ pascis. Tibi supplico, ut mihi indignissimo servo tuo adesse tua gratia velis, et ea scribenti suggerere ex fontibus verbi tui digneris, quæ ad piam faciant instructionem eorum, quibus oves tuas pascendas commendasti, quibusque nomen quod tibi soli proprium est, communicasti; nempe ut dicantur ovium tuarum pastores, tuam solius vocem sonantes, quam solum ut oves tuæ agnoscunt; ita te solum norunt, et sequuntur pastorem. Nam in te uno omnes sinceri pastores unum sunt; quia una est vox omnium, qua tu aggregas oves tibi, quaque pascis in amænissimis tuis pratis aggregatas, ac fontibus salutis liberalissime potas ac reficis. Ut igitur Ministris tuis, quos pastorum nomine dignaris, optimi vivendi, agendique modum præscribam, tu efficito: et simul da gratiam, ut ipse cum illis juxta disciplinæ præscribendæ normam, vitam totam peragam; donec, curriculo vitæ præsentis expleto, tibi, qui Episcopus animarum nostrarum es, tradam spiritum quem dedisti. Tibi pastori animarum nostrarum, ac soli Deo cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto, sit benedictio, et gloria, et sapientia, et gratiarum actio, honor et virtus, et robur in secula seculorum. AMEN. AMEN. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SIXTH EDITION. THE Writer, not willing needlessly to extend the dimensions of his work, has refrained from much enlargement, except in one chapter(Part v. Chap. v.) where the importance of the subject appeared to call for a more full consideration. This Chapter-for the use of the Purchasers of the former Editions, as well as from a desire to give a more comprehensive view than the limits of this work would admit-he has published in a separate and enlarged form. Feeling as he does the circumstances of the times, to give a deepened tone of responsibility to our work, he has only to commend to his beloved -specially to his younger brethren-the two Apostolical determinations, as comprising all the principles of Ministerial efficiency: "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the Ministry of the Word." Acts vi. 4. "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Cor. ii. 2. Old Newton Vicarage, March 20, 1844. |